Arm injury forces Horne to hang up his boots

Related Links

Cape Town - Northampton
Saints have announced that Wallaby centre Rob Horne has been forced to
retire from rugby with immediate effect due to injury.

Horne sustained the injury while playing against Leicester Tigers on April 14.

After undergoing tests, leading neurological consultants from The
Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (Stanmore) confirmed that Horne has
suffered career-ending nerve damage to his right arm.

“This is absolutely tragic news, and has been devastating for every
member of the squad and staff here,” said interim head coach Alan
Dickens.

“All our thoughts are of course with Rob and his family at this time.

“Rob is not only a world-class rugby player, but he’s an exceptional
man. He is a hugely respected and popular member of the dressing room
and this will be an enormous loss to Saints - both from a rugby and a
personal perspective.

“Even though he had only been here for one season, I am sure he was
destined to become a club legend and, like everyone, I am deeply
saddened that his career has been prematurely ended in this way.”

Horne arrived at Franklin’s Gardens last summer after 10 seasons with
the Waratahs, where he played in a Super 14 final at the age of just 18
before claiming the Super Rugby title in 2014.

The hard-hitting outside
centre won 34 caps for the Wallabies, representing Australia in two
Rugby World Cups and against the British & Irish Lions in 2013.

The 28-year-old made 21 appearances in the Black, Green and Gold
jersey of Saints, scoring eight tries to make him this season’s
top-scorer, and led out Northampton against Tigers at Welford Road last
weekend for the first time as stand-in skipper.

“Rob has been the ultimate professional in his time at Franklin’s
Gardens, and shone on the pitch in what has been a difficult season for
Saints,” commented Saints CEO Mark Darbon.

“This news has shaken everyone at the club, and I’m sure all of our
supporters will join us in sending our best wishes to Rob, his wife
Simone and their two young children.

“Rob will always be a part of the Saints family and we will, of
course, do everything we can to help him through his rehabilitation and
transition in to the next stage of his life.

“On behalf of the club I would like to thank all the medical staff
who have helped Rob so far, in particular the diligence and
professionalism shown by the Saints and Tigers medical teams, who
reacted quickly and could not have done more for him from the moment his
injury was sustained.

“Rob has asked me to pass on his deepest gratitude for all of the
messages of support he and his family have received, but would now like
everyone to respect his privacy while they deal with this news.”